'Tis the season to be jolly

I woke up yesterday morning (something I try to do everyday!) and as I wandered aimlessly in the first ambiguous moments of the morning I found myself before the living room curtains and just then, without a purpose or a thought, I opened them. The dark cave of the living room exploded with a brilliant light and I almost lost my footing as I was forced to step back to protect my eyes from blindness. I stood there more confused than before, but as my eyes adjusted to the light my mind quickly came round to full clarity - for before my eyes, on the other side of that glass window pane, was the ground painted white with snow. Now... before I continue on with this story (which I shan't) I must confess to you that this glorious snow was merely a bit of frost. But "mere" is dangerous word to use (to quote C.S. Lewis) and one would never go about in Northern Ireland using the word "mere" and "frost" in the same sentence for that would surely be blasphemy. They are very proud of their frost, even being bold enough to call it snow, though we all know that is far from it - especially in comparison to what you are currently trudging through. I must confess though that it did put a smile on my face to walk on the ground and leave the slightest footprints - it was all I needed to know that it is the Christmas season - which I was having a very difficult time grasping.
This week as a whole has been severely busy - with working in the coffee shop and the Church office - preparing stuff for the coming year. I found it rather difficult to find time between for rest. It is all over now and I am officially "off" and very much enjoying my rest. It has been giving me a very different opinion on Christmas being away from home and I'm beginning to look at it in very different light than I had. I see now what a glorious thing it is, absolutely worthy of celebration though technically hindered by commercialization it's glory is none the less - and though I am away from friends and family, away from those whom I love and cherish these times to share - I will be celebrating the birth of our Saviour none the less. For there is a direct connection between His birth and my being here in Northern Ireland, and so I will be glad and fight off all sadness.
I have been very blessed these times as well. My laptop has arrived and my new job pays well, these things are from God, like all things, and are definitely reasons to be thankful and give praise. The locals are also very generous around these times and there is no shortage of invitations and food to those of us who are staying. I also am traveling a little bit over new year - from Dec 27th 'till Jan 3rd to London (England!) and then to Southampton (perhaps a little Liverpool and Manchester action though unlikely) to visit friends from Muskoka Woods in the summer. Which should really be a lot of craic and a good time to unwind. Please pray for safety. And please pray for my Mum and Dad and my three sisters over these next couple of days, hopefully the Dog will do a good job replacing me. Anyways, I must be off. Have a wonderful Christmas and a jolly new year. 'Till next year! Adios

Gutentag!

Time is flying by. Not only does it seem that Christmas is right on our doorstep, everyone is acting that way for sure, but I've just recently gotten to the point where it's the longest I've ever been away from home. "Do you miss home?" is a common question I hear over here, and the answer is definitely yes, though not at the 'homesick' level I am missing good ol' London (the real one as I often have to explain) as much as ever... not, of course, for the city in and of itself but because of the people. Yes, I'm trying to say I miss you all back home - my family and friends. I hear very often about the things happening around the church and I am excited and wishing I could experience it along with you all. God has me here for a reason though and the mission is the same - the distance and solitude sure has taught me a lot already - and we're only about 1/3 through. So please do keep praying, I don't want things to settle in so much that I forget I'm following a calling, and forget to pray for it. Ignorance and comfort can be powerful weapons of the enemy.
These days have been interesting. Definitely different from the first two months where ministry and planning was my huge focus, now the only ministry I am actually playing a leadership role in is Street Evangelism on Friday afternoons. This is due to the church's Sabbatical on small groups and youth work for the month of December, which seems to be quite a normal thing. It really has left me playing minor roles in a lot of little things around the office... such as cutting paper, moving boxes or making tea. Which by all means is important and also very relieving and relaxing for me - giving me time to breathe and soak in a little bit (and perfect my tea making skills). I am busy doing other things as well. The Coffee shop where I work will be opening the section in which I will work on Wednesday and I go in on Tuesday to learn the machines. So that is definitely an item for praise, and something to keep me busy... and financed. Also I've been spending a lot of time with people in the community, both Christian and non-Christian, just building relationships and often getting asked tough faith questions. Hopefully I'm giving the right answers and having an impact on this community to the glory of God. That is my biggest hope and prayer. There are people who come from all over Europe and Africa to check out this Vineyard's ministry and how it works and I had the pleasure to do Street Evangelism on Friday with a very funny and loud German man who I called Erik (because his name sounded something like that but not quite). He was quite surprised at how effective and simple the ministry is and encouraged me by shouting in a heavy accent "JP you know'sen everysbody in s'is town!" We had Eleven boys become Christians just last week on Street Evangelism and they are already getting involved in Sunday morning stuff and small group leaders. God works very powerfully on these streets, and I am overjoyed to experience it.
I must draw this to a close now, it is running on 1a.m. here now. This is the only time I can get access to a computer - though by the time I'm due for another entry that will hopefully be different though because I have just recently purchased a new laptop. It has been stuck in Great Britain customs though for 3 days now (the internet tracker tells me so at least) which is rather frustrating. Please pray that it all goes through well. I will post again when it arrives. Thanks for stopping by! God bless

Night Divine

The nights are a soul-warming cold. A crisp breeze blowing through the Achilles heel of your coat and gloves, and also into your eyes causing the slightest tears. It's not hard for you to see your breath, especially under the characteristically British streetlights, and for a brief moment you imagine yourself as Lucy first walking into Narnia. The sight of the stone city streets and coloured Christmas lights brings you back out of the wardrobe of your imagination to appreciate how wonderful a night it truly is. The stars brightly shining and the moon not quite full, but closer to the end than the beginning. Old Church steeples tower into the sky, getting darker as they rise out of the light, seemingly trying to reach the stars. And above it all, through the simple sidewalk radios, the sound of Christmas Carols gently easing your mind into memories, as you walk through the empty streets of Coleraine at night.

Oh holy night! The stars are brightly shining,
It is the night of the dear Saviour's birth.
Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
Till He appear'd and the soul felt its worth.
A thrill of hope the weary world rejoices,
For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.

Fall on your knees! Oh, hear the angel voices!
Oh night divine, Oh night when Christ was born;
Oh night divine, Oh night, Oh night Divine.

Starbucks

It's been too long since I've been here writing a new post - I apologize for my lack of updates. Do be comforted in the fact that this lapse of posts has not been out of laziness, but purely out of busyness - the fruitful sort as far as I know. It's been a very eventful past few weeks, good to say the least. I have finished off my work with Small Group leading until January, and Teen Church will have our last day tomorrow until the new year as well. These ministries end here for a month as a type of mini-sabbatical for both the leaders and those who come and participate. I was surprised by this different way of doing things because I would usually see this time of year as being a prime-time for ministry work. I have no arguments at this point though, and I am looking forward to recharging the physical, emotional and spiritual batteries which I feel are beginning to run low.
In the last week I've had many meetings with various people, some from Small Groups concerning accountability and Spiritual Growth, others with non-Christians with tough questions and harsh histories. Starbucks is becoming my second Church office, and I'm letting it happen without complaints. I can think of two of the people I've met there this past week who I originally acquainted myself with during an hour of street evangelism, one of whom is coming to Church this Sunday with me because of a new extreme level of interest in Christianity. The other, is a young man who is unbelievably learned in Theology and Christianity as a whole, but is struggling through many difficulties in life and pain and is now seeking answers from God. It was amazing to sit down with him for a couple hours over coffee and share life and struggles, and I hope to continue to bump into him and share God's love as best I can as he seriously journeys this. Above all else if you could pray for these two people and for my connection with them - I know God is working in them, and perhaps, to my great excitement and joy, through me.
In all of these new experiences for me I am still working through a lot of new points of view concerning God and Church, as well as culture and living in community. Which has been fun. It's the little things that really let you know you're in a different country, like when you're out to buy deodorant and they just don't have any stick form, only weird liquid things. Or when you go to sit down for dinner at 5p.m. and it's already been dark for half an hour. Or when you go to cook a can of beans only to discover all the pots are left dirty. Or when you go to a ministry called Healing on the Streets and you expect to be helping out with covering graffiti or picking up garbage and you end up witnessing people being healed by God, of things like Cancer or broken bones. My life here as been far from dull, and my mind even during times set aside to be still has had difficulty doing so, when there's so much to try or learn, or to read or listen to. On a personal level please pray that I would be able to cope with all that is happening around me and in me and that in it all I'd find times of peace with God.

Mini-Essay on Youth Culture

What is there to say on the youth culture of the Coleraine area, in Northern Ireland, and it’s relation with ministry efforts in that same area?

A difficult question to ask, because one cannot just begin by describing a culture; in the same breath, describing a specific ministry cannot start it either. They are both far too broad for brief explanation. They do overlap though, and that would be a fine place to begin. One of the main goals of a healthy church, or a healthy ministry, would be to be explaining what Christ has done, and bringing people into an awareness of that. In essence, they want to be leading as many people to Christianity as possible; it is a fundamental part of their doctrine. This is how they overlap – the youth culture in Coleraine is a goal for the Church’s in the same area, they want to saturate them with the message of the gospel. It is common knowledge as well that the traditional ways of doing this no longer effectively work – or in other words, it is essential that a church be relevant to a current culture so that it’s message be relevant to the people. Which leads us to a second question - how can a church be relevant to a youth culture in modern society whilst still maintaining it’s fundamentals and not watering itself down? The answer is in the people.

The people, the culture. If there’s anything that connects a Christian and a non-Christian it is that they are both people. The both like or dislike different sport teams; the both like or dislike certain music, books, politics, styles… the list goes on; they both are submerged in some kind of culture. The Youth culture in Northern Ireland, or more specifically the Coleraine area, is something to be observed now in this case, what makes a Colerainer a Colerainer? Which is yet again a broad question to be asked – an outsider could assume very quickly that it is a culture that prefers Football of all the sports, Fish and Chips of all the foods, Westlife or Snow Patrol of all the bands and has a very traditional church background – always rooting into either a Catholic or Protestant stream. But once again you find that generalisations are hardly ever true to the individual, and this is purely the case in the Coleraine area. The culture is complex just like anywhere else in the world, and nothing can be assumed about anyone. The internet and global media has helped in dimming down specific cultures and just adding them to a global culture that just changes slightly with geographical changes. But yet again there are consistencies, the internet being one of them with huge culturally influential web sites like YouTube, MySpace, Bebo, Facebook, all connecting people in some way – the mass percentage of Youth culture would be involved somehow in these things – Christian and non-Christian alike.

People again, we share joys and we share pains. Love and pain is what very often brings people together. Youth cultures around the world are alike just beginning to experience these things in their fullest, things like dating, divorce and death are all becoming real to them – and a comfortable place with answers to the questions these things develop will always be welcomed. Church would be effective in approaching these subjects as they approach youth because immediately they can on some level connect and share. Once people connect and share on a personal level they become more relevant to each-other and to each-others opinions and beliefs. That is the place where a relevant ministry wants to be, sharing and connecting. The same applies to youth even in the Coleraine area, they are not immune to the difficult aspects of life like death, or the emotions or pains that are associated with love - no one is – Christian and non-Christian alike.

People dislike injustice, people dislike falsehoods, people crave truths. Nobody wants a sleazy, lying politician leading them. Nobody wants to hear of innocents dying on the news and criminals walking free. People connect in certain fundamental morals. There’s a standard of living that Christians are called to live at that can either be appealing or completely un-attractive. They live very moral lives in a very immoral world. Fortunately for them immorality is not portrayed under good light, even by the clearly immoral who typically disagree yet rebel even against themselves (and portray it as being cool). Youth are just beginning to explore these things and figure out where they stand. They are bombarded by different messages; typically it would be the up-tight teacher or parent who would offer the moral way of living and the cool celebrity types who advertise the opposite. This combined with a youthful desire to explore, to learn, to experience, and to self-fulfill is what really combats a Church’s ministry and it’s relevance. Youth don’t want to be told “no”, they don’t want to be bored, and the youth of Coleraine are no exception. They do not connect on this level but they do connect on a parallel that people everywhere are looking for more in life, the more in life that Christians have found. Youth don’t want to be told no, but in the same breath they also always want the best, to portray the message that in saying no to certain things and yes to other things that are so much more is the course of action that needs to be taken for a Youth based ministry. Youth are looking to the future, looking to see what it offers; morality plays a big part in that, and so could Christianity. Cause everyone wants the best, everyone wants more – Christians and non-Christians alike.

So, what is there to say on the youth culture of the Coleraine area, in Northern Ireland, and it’s relation with ministry efforts in that same area? That youth in the Coleraine are fundamentally no different from youth anywhere else in the world and then when approached with the ministry efforts in that it was asked - how can a church be relevant to a youth culture in modern society whilst still maintaining it’s fundamentals and not watering itself down? By connecting and sharing with them in a focused cultural way, using broad tools like MySpace and connecting with the big issues like bands and music, or big football matches. Showing that Christians are culturally relevant and not disconnected, or in other words showing that Christians are people too. Also in connecting and sharing with youth on the universal topics of life, and death, love and hate, happiness and sorrow, comfort and pain, showing that Christians aren’t immune and that they’re people too, just with an all surpassing joy and new-life. And then in offering them to live in a higher standard of life, one that Christians strive for as well, connecting and sharing with them on hopes for the future. None of these things require a watered-down gospel nor do they come across as un-appealing to youth, because all people and youth have a connection with one another, Christian or non-Christian alike, we’re all people.

JP + 1

I have been told, though I have not yet witnessed it myself, that on the major TV stations here they have a clone channel on which they play the exact same shows but played one hour later. They call them the +1 channels. (i.e. BBC +1, CNN +1). I figure that because I'm kind of updating you with what's happening here but not as it happens, that I will title this entry as JP +1. It's exactly what's been happening just a bit behind. Anyways, I hear good news all the time from home and from a lot of you and I want to say thanks for keeping in touch and keeping me posted. Lots has happened here with me over the past two weeks, both on a personal level and on a practical missional level. I find that the days are going by quicker and quicker as the weeks go on - to think that I'm coming into my eighth week of running my small group is insane, and my fifth week of Radiate is even crazier. These things have all progressively been getting better as well, which is news for praise, and I'm excited to see where the Lord leads us/me in these ministries. The weather here is drastically starting to get colder, not that it compares with what's happening there in Canada at these times, but the Californians that I live with have now officially never been in colder weather. The wind is really what makes it difficult though, it's strong enough that you could absolutely not drink a coffee outside without spilling it everywhere, and there's always a nice howling coming down our chimney/fireplace.
I also find I'm really beginning to fit in with the culture - using words such as trousers rather than pants, or mingin' rather than gross, or even accepting offers for tea rather than for coffee - Maybe even once and a while I'll even try to pretend I'm Irish, though I'm not yet any good. (The chocolate here by the way is absolutely incredible, like no other. I thought I knew what good chocolate was until I came here - my eyes have been opened.)
On a more useful topic. I have been hired by a place called Echoes Fish and Chips... Yes... I am working in what the Irish call a 'Chippie' making fish and chips. I have only gone in once and already I rather enjoy it, especially the fish and chips part, I might come back a little heavier than I was. I am only working there though for a couple of weeks - I was actually hired for Echoes Coffee Pub which will be opening in a short amount of time... I will show them all how to make a real Americano. This is going a long ways in helping me financially and is a direct answer to prayer, so thank you all for praying for this and praise God.
Other than the obvious there is lots happening that keeps me very busy, I am working on creating a devotional booklet, as well as continually working on music both with some locals and with fellow interns/housemates. I am beginning to really develop some very fruitful relationships with people here as I work alongside of them in ministry. There haven't been any problems with the people I live with, work alongside, or work with, which has been incredible for making this experience enjoyable.
Thanks again for all your prayers, please continue to. Please pray for the youth that I'm working with, and those who we talk to during street evangelism. As well as for myself and that I would be continually making sure I'm in tune with God's plan and direction.
Hope all is well back home, enjoy the first few snowfalls - I miss them almost as much as I miss you all. God bless - JiP

Beyond understanding

Ahh, one of the things I love most about this place is daily having the joy (and cool refreshment) of being able to see the sea. I must say that it is a monster - a massive, unpredictable, and beautiful monster. I often find myself walking along the cliffside (there's guardrails, no worries) to the long sandy beach of Portstewart at night, where I find myself alone and cold but perfectly at peace. In awe of stars and a roaring ocean. These are often good times for a John Piper podcast to play into my ears, not often leaving me less confused about this world and God's extreme power and majesty, but certainly more confortable with my own unknowing. When on the beach at night you can stare out into the ocean and it is all so dark you can only see the first few waves, then everything blends into blackness. Last night there were flashes of light, I don't know whether they were fireworks (fireworks seem to be a hallowe'en event here) or lightning, but every few moments I could get a glimpse of the sea, and it's black, never-ending size. There are times when it is choppy and times when it is somewhat calm, there are even times when the waves will get to be over 10 feet, but last night I swear the sea was rolling. Giant waves like mountains rising and falling far out in the ocean's blackness. And my skin crawls with fear at this overhwhelming realisation of my own size and weakness. I imagine myself on a boat, fighting to stay afloat, rising and falling with the rolling mountains. Trying even to stay on my feet. Then my mind wanders further again and I remember just a few words, hardly louder than the wind and crashing waves. "Quiet. Be still!". And I am reminded that it was God who crafted the sea and it is Him who commands it, and I should have no fear. "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
Of all the majestic things to know of God. To study His sovereignty or His perfect will and the role of Evil and suffering. To read from wise dead men and to explore their knowledge to adopt it - I have continually found that it is the things you think are simple that actually bring you to your knees in praise, without any option or desire to do otherwise. Standing on the shore of the most powerful element in this world and knowing it has not one bit of power over my God who loves me, is a peacefully breath-taking thought. And knowing and grasping that it is true, and living in a way that exclaims that truth... I suppose that is the journey I am on. I am having to cope with the fact that God is far beyond anything my mind can handle, that what I find fascinating and miraculous about God is likely only the beginning, and that above all He loves and cares for me. For us. We are blessed, and all He asks for is faith. Faith in love and praise. We are to undergo trials and tribulations, but stand firm in joy and a peace beyond understanding.

Fashionably Late

I will state my appologies for the late blog entry, our internet was down on Monday and this is the first chance I have gotten since. Hope no-one was holding their breath

Djembe Djembe

Tomorrow will be my one month mark. Seems weird to think that I've been here a month. I'm inclined to say that it feels as though it's been more of a lifetime. Things happen quickly, and there's so many little things that have occured that when I look back it looks much longer than I suppose it has actually been. Which by all means is a good thing - I made a conscious decision to make the most of this venture in both learning and experience, and a lifetime in a month seems to have been the result.
This past week was an exciting one, bowling with my small group on Tuesday went very well (I am apparently very bad at bowling). We saw two somewhat new faces, the young man who I spoke about in the last blog entry came and he brought a friend... both have decided to make it a regular part of their week, and we will see them again tomorrow night. Please continue to pray for him, as well as my relationship with him. Then the rest of my week consisted of many many meetings with various people, business and personal, and planning for Sunday morning program - Radiate. On Friday I helped out in the Street Evangelism again, and handed out more lollipops than ever before in my life, and just chatted with various locals which was really quite the experience.
I also got to see Northern Ireland shut down for the Rugby World Cup on Saturday Evening as England played South Africa (South Africa won and all the Irishmen were happy).
Radiate on Sunday morning went great, we saw 6 new faces and brought our number up to 12.
Then on Sunday evening I was invited to tag along as 4 Worship interns went down to a small town about an hour away to lead worship in a very traditional church. I ended up playing the Djembe (a bongo kinda drum thingy) for their set, after a very random series of events. The preacher spoke powerfully on hell and heaven and Christians and non-Christians, as we all sat in the front row in casual clothes with 300 people behind us in formal wear. There was a minor miscommunication I suppose, but we got a great response and I got to begin my new career as a Djembe player.
Overall, I look back and it just makes me more excited for this next upcoming week. Please continue to pray for me, both for what God's been doing in me and for what I've been doing to glorify God. I didn't get much time to read or write this week and hopefully this week will be more gracious in that respect. Anyways I must be getting on, the sun has already set here and there's much more to be done before the day is over. Thanks for tuning in, same time next week. (I had to say it). Cheers and God bless

Miracles

Well, I can't believe it's another Monday, my third one here thus far. It's been quite a wild ride, and one that has challenged me greatly in every way. I know I've said that already but it is something that is happening continually and at the top of my mind in all my personal times. Recently I've been reading two books, "Don't waste your life" by John Piper and "Miracles" by C.S. Lewis, the second of which I picked up and started reading because of my need to understand the subject further. There hasn't been a shortage of miracles since I've been here, working with a charismatic church. I won't go into that subject though, not until I understand it better, or at least have prayed about it and have some kind of grasp on where it all comes from. On a more practical note, yesterday, being Sunday, Radiate was launched (Radiate is one of the programs that I designed for 11-14 year olds on Sunday morning). It was a great success, not necessarily in numbers or by the way I lead (surely not that), but because of the reactions that came from the 6 youth who came. I had one youth, a young guy at the age of 15, who apparently had completely disowned Christianity in just about every form possible, and who also had been dealing with an anger problem (punching holes in walls) (none of this I knew) who came and joined in the 'ice breaker' games and then eventually participated in prayer and worship very openly. Afterwards I encouraged him to come to my small group on Tuesday nights, he wasn't very keen until I told him we were going bowling this week, which he apparently loves. I thought this was normal but when I heard what his mother thought about it I found out the rest of the story, and saw what a cause it was to praise God. I am happy to share this story (one of a few that I've gathered so far) because it shows that God has gracefully used me as a tool to do His work already. For this I'm glad. If you would pray along with me for Radiate and the youth who come, and for the young man who's heart seems to have been changed, that would be great.
Things are coming along steadily now, the ministries that I am a part of have been set in place and so I feel more comfortable and able here. I know what has to be done, which is much less stressful than not knowing. Currently it is raining but the sun is shining bright, crazy Ireland (thought I'd share that with you... sorry). Thank you for your support and prayer. I have been encouraged by some of the messages I have received through Facebook or email, or even here on the blog. Would you please continue to pray for me in regards to keeping myself on track and growing, as well as the ministries I have been placed in charge of. These are my major two elements in need of prayer, both of them would be best explained in just saying - pray that I would be continually doing what God wants me to be doing. I have to be heading out now, the church office is closing. Thanks again and I hope to hear from you all soon! God bless

Radiate

Well, already I would say I have learned more about God and people and community and church and myself in the last two weeks than I ever have in my life. I can't even explain. I apologize for my lack of communication over the past few days, this is my first week of having a set schedule so hopefully that will make things easier to work out. Ok so what can I say? Well let me first start by saying that I have posted pictures on my Facebook account under JP Theriault because it is the best way for me to post bulk amounts of photographs... so please add me as your friend if you are not already one (or... go on another persons account to check it...). If that is not possible for you than I will somewhat explain the way I feel about this town. When I first got here, or rather, on the plane as I was flying over, I started to read 'the man who was thursday' by G.K. Chesterton. In his opening words he describes his character as his character enters into a town, this is how he describes the town. "The suburb of Saffron Park lay on the sunset side of London, as red and ragged as a cloud of sunset. It was built of a bright brick throughout; its sky-line was fantastic, and even its ground plan was wild. It had been the outburst of a speculative builder, faintly tinged with art, who called its architecture sometimes Elizabethan and sometimes Queen Anne, apparently under the impression that the two sovereigns were identical. It was described with some justice as an artistic colony, though it never in any definable way produced any art. But although its pretensions to be an intellectual centre were a little vague, its pretensions to be a pleasant place were quite indisputable. The stranger who looked for the first time at the quaint red houses could only think how very oddly shaped the people must be who could fit in to them. Nor when he met the people was he disappointed in this respect. The place was not only pleasant, but perfect, if once he could regard it not as a deception but rather as a dream. Even if the people were not "artists," the whole was nevertheless artistic. That young man with the long, auburn hair and the impudent face -- that young man was not really a poet; but surely he was a poem. That old gentleman with the wild, white beard and the wild, white hat -- that venerable humbug was not really a philosopher; but at least he was the cause of philosophy in others. That scientific gentleman with the bald, egg-like head and the bare, bird-like neck had no real right to the airs of science that he assumed. He had not discovered anything new in biology; but what biological creature could he have discovered more singular than himself? Thus, and thus only, the whole place had properly to be regarded; it had to be considered not so much as a workshop for artists, but as a frail but finished work of art. A man who stepped into its social atmosphere felt as if he had stepped into a written comedy." ... haha and that's what it's like. It's unreal and poetic and so very beautiful, and as a place, both physical and cultural, I love it. So... I'm sorry about how long that was but I needed to share it. In the heart of this place lies the church office where I work and plan. I am involved quite a lot in the ministries of the church, which are VERY different from the ministries of West London Alliance but in no way is either superior or inferior to the other, God works in both. I do street evangelism on Friday afternoons, which is a crazy and bold ministry but it works very well. Then on Sunday mornings I've, myself, started a new ministry called Radiate (after the radiators which are everywhere here) it's for 11-14 year olds who prior to now have not had any teaching or church. I plan each Sunday for that and speak and lead the volunteers. I'm also running a small group of about 8 15-16 year olds, which takes place on Tuesday nights, I'm in charge of that as well. I have my own small group on Thursday nights, and our home (where there's 6 guys living) does a small group/worship night together on Monday nights. Mondays are my day off and hopefully the day to check this blog for updates. I've organized myself completely and I've put time in on Mondays for communication and updates. Our post here is on strike so I can't send letters yet and if you've sent me letters that's why I haven't gotten them yet. Please continue to pray for me, my world has been turned upside down in the last two weeks and I'm trying to gather my thoughts and sort through some of the new experiences while at the same time trying to be effective in ministry and doing God's work. Please pray for the ministries which I am a part of and involved in that they'd be effective to God's will and kingdom. Also for me myself as I am trying to learn and explore a lot of different things. Thanks for the support back home, know that West London Alliance and my family and supporters are all in my prayers. If you have any questions please email me or facebook me (I love how that is now a verb), I'd love to hear from you. God bless and cheers!

What's the craik?

What's the craik eh? is what I say, an Irish term that I've added a little touch of home to. It pretty much just means whatsup. I've had an extreme first 6 days, it already feels like a month at least. I have to tell you that this is the most beautiful place I've ever seen in my life, it's like everything is an aged work of art, surrounded by the sea and cliffs and a lot of green. I've been involved in a lot of ministries already, and this upcoming week I am leading a couple of them. (they've really got me going early here, I like it though). Pray for me that I can be effective and God honoring in my ministries here, and that as the ball really starts rolling I can be focused and managed in my time and efforts. Thanks a ton, talk to you again soon

Home?

Excuse me a wee bit the keyboard is slightly different here. Yes, I'm here, being N.Ireland. The flight was problem free as well as my immigration. I'm here with my guitar as well, which is an awesome blessing for sure. I'm not feeling jet-legged one bit, which is also a blessing. I've already co-lead a small group of youth last night, 6 hours after getting here. This place is beautiful and I hope to get you guys some pictures soon enough, keep praying!.

I'm leaving on a jet plane

Although, I think I know when I'll be back again... approximately. I fly out today at 11:30 pm and arrive at Belfast International Airport at 11 am (6 am our time). Please pray for safety and that any immigration stuff will go well... as well as luggage safety (we don't want any Ecuador repeats). God has everything under control. Thanks for all your support, to this point. Next post I should be in N.Ireland. Cheers and God bless

Pack attack

I am packing. The airline that I am traveling with will let me take 20kgs with me, which is making for some fun times. The airline will also not let me take my guitar on the plane with me. Please pray that there be some kind of answer to that, though I understand this may mean no guitar. Gotta do what ya gotta do I guess, it doesn't make this one bit less exciting. The week is zooming by, I fly in 5 days. Yikes

Here we go

Well, I just bought a ticket. Feels pretty crazy. I'm officially leaving at 11:30pm on Monday, Sep 24th. The whole thing went through very simply, problem free, and unexpectedly quick which I accredit fully to the Lord's guidance. An absolute answer to prayer and a blessing. Well, every blessing He pours out, I'll turn back to praise. So here we go

Welcome

The wonders of modern technology really makes things easier sometimes. In this case it's really helping me keep you informed. Today my Dad showed me a little newsletter booklet that he made when he and my Mum were missionaries in England, and trust me, this is a whole lot easier... and quicker. I'll be posting various updates and prayer requests as well as pictures and stories right here... once I actually get there of course... Until then this is just boring. Looks like I'll be leaving either Sep 25 or Oct 2, depending on how quickly Visa stuff goes through. Pray, if you will, for no problems in that department. Thanks again!

Newsletter to WLA

Ok, so imagine with me for a moment. There’s an acoustic guitar playing, it’s being picked and strummed, and it sounds deep and rich. The kind of sound that makes you just want to sit in a hammock on a summer afternoon. There’s also a shaker keeping a gentle rhythm in the background, and another guitar softly soloing to accent certain notes. And just when you’re wondering what is going on and why this music is playing you hear Kenny Chesney start singing, “There’s a blue rockin’ chair, sittin’ in the sand. Weathered by the storms, and well oiled hands. It sways back and forth, with the help of the winds. Seems to always be there, like an ol’ trusted friend. I’ve read a lot of books, wrote a few songs. Looked at my life, where it’s goin’, where it’s gone. I’ve seen the world, through a bus windshield. But nothing compares, to the way that I see it, to the way that I see it, to the way that I see it, when I sit in that Old Blue Chair.” Ok now come back to reality for me. I know you loved that. I also know that quoting a Kenny Chesney song is not necessarily the most traditional way to start a letter of this sort. But he expresses a feeling that I’m trying to express but in a much better way than I can (trust me, I tried). I’m just trying to say that West London Alliance Church is like that Old Blue Chair for me, no matter where I go (stick with me and I’ll talk about that in a few seconds) WLA will always be home, the place that I learned and grew up. I have to thank so many people for all these years, but I have to especially thank Graham for being such a strong mentor, leader, and friend.

Speaking of Graham, he’s the one who hooked me up with a sweet summer job in Muskoka Woods. Which leads into the purpose of this letter. I stood on the beach of Lake Rosseau talking to a married couple who were missionaries from Northern Ireland about them being Irish (I believe I was making fun of their accents). Naturally, being a big Van Morrison, U2, and Cranberries fan I asked them about the music scene in Ireland. The wife, named Janet, just laughed a bit (a hearty Irish laugh) and said they weren’t big into it, although she said that she had heard one of her sister’s songs on the radio once she got to Canada. This peaked my interest and impulsively I asked her who her sister was. She just smiled (she was always smiling) and said, “Kathryn Scott, have you heard of her?” I exclaimed my enthusiasm at her answer by telling her that I had heard of Kathryn Scott and that I’d been singing and playing her songs for years at Church and Youth group. She chuckled back jokingly, “Oh, well maybe you should come over and take an internship with her in Ireland.”

Let me now change my tone a little bit. I begin this part by proclaiming and acknowledging how much God has blessed my life to this point. The blessing alone to be loved by Him is enough, but still I have been blessed with a family and a community in which I can learn of Him who loves me more. Now that, to me as a sinner, is grace from a loving God. This whole idea and plan for me interning in Ireland did not come about through any means other than prayer and trust in God. It did not come from a craving for adventure but from a craving to experience God and learn of Him through servitude and worship. I have prayed and read Scriptures to seek God’s direction and will for me, and through each step of this journey I have turned to Him for guidance. I gladly declare that I don’t care where God sends me, but only that it is He who sends me. It appears now, that Lord willing I will be going to Northern Ireland, and unless some unexpected bump in the road throws this whole thing off course, then that’s what I’m doing. I will be working as a Youth Ministry Intern at Causeway Coast Vineyard Church, less than 1000 feet from the North Atlantic coastline. I have the opportunity to be leading and teaching kids and teenagers, as well as planning and organizing different outreach ministries to reach the nearby communities, and even Belfast. They will also be giving me a certain amount of schooling and theological education. I have received support from those who are close to me, my family and friends, and I would be no-where along this path without them. I’m coming to the point where I am in need of support from my church family as well, in a financial way yes, but more importantly in prayer. Because God listens to our prayers, and I need God through this, pray that He would use me, challenge me, test me, guide me, support and strengthen me, and that through me He may be glorified. Please if you wish to support me in any way, or ask me questions, or just catch up before I go, contact me. I hope to keep a blog going throughout my 10 months there that I encourage you to check out as well. Thank you again for the support I’ve already received from the church family, you’ll always be my Old Blue Chair.

“Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But you learn, my God do you learn!”
~ C.S. Lewis

Contact me!
519-641-0947
jpsterio@gmail.com

My Blog!
jpinireland.blogspot.com

To Begin

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."
- Romans 8:28

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He will make your paths straight."
- Proverbs 3:5-6